As Erdogan's votes dip, Turkey appears headed to a runoff presidential race
Turkey’s presidential elections appear to be heading toward a second-round runoff ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey’s presidential elections appeared to be heading toward a second-round runoff on Monday, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has ruled his country with a firm grip for 20 years, leading over his chief challenger, but falling short of the votes needed for an outright win. With 99.4% of the domestic votes and 84% of the overseas votes counted, Erdogan had 49.4% of the votes , with his main rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, garnering 45%, Ahmet Yener, the head of the Supreme Electoral Board, told reporters. A third candidate, nationalist politician Sinan Ogan received 5.2%. Erdogan, 69, told supporters in the early hours of Monday that he could still win. He said, however, that he would respect the nation’s decision if the race went to a runoff on May 28. The vote was being closely watched to see if the strategically located NATO country — which has a coast on the Black Sea to the nor...